It must be CX season again . . .
09-14-17, 06:34 AM
#26
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CX is stupidly fun mate - and hard, which is why so many CX racers do well on-road. Try it and you may even like it. Another thing - a CX bike is very versatile - wide tyres for gravel/mud and road tyres for quick bunchies!
cheers
cheers
09-14-17, 06:38 AM
#27
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But all 3- singletrack, gravel, and cross- have crossover appeal due to certain perceived and real similarities in approach and attitude. Thats all I was saying.
09-14-17, 07:01 AM
#28
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First of all, this is the road cycling forum, so I had hoped to find like minded individuals here. Secondly, while many people I know were sloppily and slowly riding bikes on a lawn this evening at "cross practice" I was replacing the brakes and tuning my modernized steel roadie that I ride all year long, particularly in the winter when the garbage roads and salt make me not want to ride my nice bike outside. Fenders, wide tire clearance, 8 speed 12-32 48/36 super compact crankset, slack geometry, high BB, brifters, drop bars spd mountain pedals and shoes . . .
I basically built a cross bike and I still don't see the appeal. I think part of the issue is that the shop that promotes cross so heavily in our local scene has a very "our way or the highway" mentality, and if you don't conform to what season they say it is, you're out of the cool kids zone. At the same time, every jackass who ponies up $300 for branded kit and pays who knows how much for their cross and mountain bikes, gets high-fived and coddled and coached and whatever else.
Ironically, in the local club racing scene, their team SUCKS. Not surprising given that the only prerequisite to riding for them is buying outrageously expensive branded kit and bikes from the shop.
I basically built a cross bike and I still don't see the appeal. I think part of the issue is that the shop that promotes cross so heavily in our local scene has a very "our way or the highway" mentality, and if you don't conform to what season they say it is, you're out of the cool kids zone. At the same time, every jackass who ponies up $300 for branded kit and pays who knows how much for their cross and mountain bikes, gets high-fived and coddled and coached and whatever else.
Ironically, in the local club racing scene, their team SUCKS. Not surprising given that the only prerequisite to riding for them is buying outrageously expensive branded kit and bikes from the shop.
Regarding the shop - find a new one. If you dont like cross...a cross focused shop may not be the best choice for you?
Regarding the bikes - you made a comment about how people are buying cyclocross bikes without needing them. That comment holds FAR more value in regards to road bikes. Nobody needs a pro road bike to go ride on the road, even at higher speeds. Nearly nobody with a road bike races. The percentage of people who buy cross bikes, and use them in competition, I guarantee is DRAMATICALLY higher than the percentage of people who use road bikes in competition.
09-14-17, 07:34 AM
#29
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And what happened to N+1 I have Road, CX and mountain bike. CX bike has 2 sets of wheels.. one knobby for dirt and one 28mm slicks for winter, wet and when the road bike isn't available.
CX and mountain biking will make you a better roadie.. road will make you a stronger CX and Mtn bike rider..
CX is appealing for many people because you don't have to push 300W for an hour like a Crit and still have fun. There is a lot of improvement to be made through technique than just pure fitness. Laps are longer and slower so you have more of a chance to race around without being pulled. It is also focused on having fun in the community.
Can't believe people don't want to ride with you... you're just so cheery and accepting of others.
CX and mountain biking will make you a better roadie.. road will make you a stronger CX and Mtn bike rider..
CX is appealing for many people because you don't have to push 300W for an hour like a Crit and still have fun. There is a lot of improvement to be made through technique than just pure fitness. Laps are longer and slower so you have more of a chance to race around without being pulled. It is also focused on having fun in the community.
Can't believe people don't want to ride with you... you're just so cheery and accepting of others.
09-14-17, 08:22 AM
#30
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I don't patronize the shop I mentioned that is very cross heavy, but they are like a giant planet, and the whole road scene here disappears in August as soon as they start posting "cross is coming!" on their facebook page. I credit them for building a huge following and organizing groups as large as they do is no doubt a challenge.
I guess it boils down to the fact that Idon't really understand why all my road buddies stop riding road so early in the year? To take the focus off of cross specifically, let me frame it this way - I'm surprised with such a relatively short summer in my neck of the woods, that the roadies around here are content with May-July on the pavement, when the real road riding season could be March - November.
09-14-17, 08:23 AM
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Everyone tells me this all the time - maybe I should just shut up and try it lol, I'm just still having so much fun on the road at this time of year!
09-14-17, 08:27 AM
#32
Fredly Fredster
CX looks like a lot of fun. If I were 10-15 years younger, I would try it. CX rides/races don't last very long, but they look intense. When I ride the gravel bike, I like to ride 20+ miles and be out on the trail for hours... so it's more appealing than CX to me.
09-14-17, 08:29 AM
#33
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09-14-17, 08:31 AM
#34
Fredly Fredster
09-14-17, 08:31 AM
#35
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I have one and I went on a road ride with the own this morning :-) I guess I'm just bummed because today there were 2 of us, and just a few weeks ago there could have been 10.
I don't patronize the shop I mentioned that is very cross heavy, but they are like a giant planet, and the whole road scene here disappears in August as soon as they start posting "cross is coming!" on their facebook page. I credit them for building a huge following and organizing groups as large as they do is no doubt a challenge.
I guess it boils down to the fact that Idon't really understand why all my road buddies stop riding road so early in the year? To take the focus off of cross specifically, let me frame it this way - I'm surprised with such a relatively short summer in my neck of the woods, that the roadies around here are content with May-July on the pavement, when the real road riding season could be March - November.
I don't patronize the shop I mentioned that is very cross heavy, but they are like a giant planet, and the whole road scene here disappears in August as soon as they start posting "cross is coming!" on their facebook page. I credit them for building a huge following and organizing groups as large as they do is no doubt a challenge.
I guess it boils down to the fact that Idon't really understand why all my road buddies stop riding road so early in the year? To take the focus off of cross specifically, let me frame it this way - I'm surprised with such a relatively short summer in my neck of the woods, that the roadies around here are content with May-July on the pavement, when the real road riding season could be March - November.
09-14-17, 08:33 AM
#36
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09-14-17, 08:40 AM
#37
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"Participate in cyclocross; encourage your friends to participate; popularize it around you." -- Eugene Christophe, 1921
Eugene Christophe on Cyclocross
Eugene Christophe on Cyclocross
09-14-17, 09:19 AM
#38
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I have one and I went on a road ride with the own this morning :-) I guess I'm just bummed because today there were 2 of us, and just a few weeks ago there could have been 10.
I don't patronize the shop I mentioned that is very cross heavy, but they are like a giant planet, and the whole road scene here disappears in August as soon as they start posting "cross is coming!" on their facebook page. I credit them for building a huge following and organizing groups as large as they do is no doubt a challenge.
I guess it boils down to the fact that Idon't really understand why all my road buddies stop riding road so early in the year? To take the focus off of cross specifically, let me frame it this way - I'm surprised with such a relatively short summer in my neck of the woods, that the roadies around here are content with May-July on the pavement, when the real road riding season could be March - November.
I don't patronize the shop I mentioned that is very cross heavy, but they are like a giant planet, and the whole road scene here disappears in August as soon as they start posting "cross is coming!" on their facebook page. I credit them for building a huge following and organizing groups as large as they do is no doubt a challenge.
I guess it boils down to the fact that Idon't really understand why all my road buddies stop riding road so early in the year? To take the focus off of cross specifically, let me frame it this way - I'm surprised with such a relatively short summer in my neck of the woods, that the roadies around here are content with May-July on the pavement, when the real road riding season could be March - November.
2) I know for me, after being on pavement since March, come September I'm itching for something different, less kitted-out-peloton-leg-shaving-type-A riding (not that I do much of that anyway). I imagine lots of riders in the 4-6k miles range get the same way. Especially if doing weekly worlds and races all summer. It's a time to pull it back a little, relax, and have fun. By killing yourself for 45min and trying to eat a donut when your HR is pegged and you can barely take your hand off the bars to grab it in the first place.
09-14-17, 11:26 AM
#39
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IME, lots of fun, but big investment of time & some $ for a little dab of riding.
Get up early, probably a long drive, pay entry fee, & 45 minutes later you're done.
Like traveling 50 miles for a 4oz glass of beer.
Get up early, probably a long drive, pay entry fee, & 45 minutes later you're done.
Like traveling 50 miles for a 4oz glass of beer.
09-14-17, 11:35 AM
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09-14-17, 11:42 AM
#41
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Try XC skiing. If you do it right, you'll crash into the snow a lot. It's mostly soft and doesn't hurt much. I broke a ski in an especially bad crash, asked the shop if I could buy just one, and they told me crashing because I was too fearless is covered under warranty, I had a new ski in an hour, and crashed it a bunch.
09-14-17, 11:45 AM
#42
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Riding gravel forces you to read the ground surface and pick a careful line through it. It's not that different from rock climbing, where you need to look at a blank wall and decipher the sequence of moves that will get you to the top.
You know what else is surprisingly fun? Trail running. (But hikers will despise you for it.)
09-14-17, 12:15 PM
#43
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Roadies aren't that different than triathletes when you get right down to it. People who value handling skills don't ride trainers, trainers are really popular among the wanna be racer crowd.
Riding gravel forces you to read the ground surface and pick a careful line through it. It's not that different from rock climbing, where you need to look at a blank wall and decipher the sequence of moves that will get you to the top.
You know what else is surprisingly fun? Trail running. (But hikers will despise you for it.)
Riding gravel forces you to read the ground surface and pick a careful line through it. It's not that different from rock climbing, where you need to look at a blank wall and decipher the sequence of moves that will get you to the top.
You know what else is surprisingly fun? Trail running. (But hikers will despise you for it.)
09-14-17, 12:21 PM
#44
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Yeah, I know. I'm kind of shaking my head at it, too.
You're from Seattle, right? Try it on the East Bank trail, at Ross Lake. The speed, and the "on rails" feeling of the trail, the minor technical challenge crossing creeks and washes, it's kind of like being on an MTB, in a place where they're not allowed.
You're from Seattle, right? Try it on the East Bank trail, at Ross Lake. The speed, and the "on rails" feeling of the trail, the minor technical challenge crossing creeks and washes, it's kind of like being on an MTB, in a place where they're not allowed.
09-14-17, 12:43 PM
#45
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I like how on BF any time there's something about bikes that I don't like it's only because EVIL MARKETING GENIUSES have DUPED ALL THE SHEEPLE into the FALSE BELIEF THAT THEY NEED THIS! CREATED A MARKET OUT OF THIN AIR, THEY DID!!1!2@!1!@!!
(or maybe they're just selling people what they want).
(or maybe they're just selling people what they want).
09-14-17, 01:23 PM
#46
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It was an absolute blast. I think I got a stick or rock caught in the frame; had to stop and take out my back wheel midway through the first lap...the whole field passed me lol. Still, I ended up passing about 20 people or so, finished 99/125. And the rear wheel I'd just rebuilt myself remained straight as an arrow, so all things considered, I'm very happy haha. Didn't even put the bike down once .
I was surprised at how exausted I was...I had plenty of power to get up the steepest hills some people walked...but man I was gassed after 1 lap. I really need to work on cardio if I'm going to keep doing this.
.I was surprised at how exausted I was...I had plenty of power to get up the steepest hills some people walked...but man I was gassed after 1 lap. I really need to work on cardio if I'm going to keep doing this.
I'm planning on hitting up at least two races this year, but they are all two hours away so it will be two weekends full of fun. Haven't decided which ones though. yeah, they are fun but man, like you said, they can be exhausing. It's surprising how much work riding on grass and through all that stuff is.
09-14-17, 01:48 PM
#47
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That's awesome, man. My first race I dnf'd because the chain lodged itself into a place I could not free it from. I got myself a new bike now though.
I'm planning on hitting up at least two races this year, but they are all two hours away so it will be two weekends full of fun. Haven't decided which ones though. yeah, they are fun but man, like you said, they can be exhausing. It's surprising how much work riding on grass and through all that stuff is.
I'm planning on hitting up at least two races this year, but they are all two hours away so it will be two weekends full of fun. Haven't decided which ones though. yeah, they are fun but man, like you said, they can be exhausing. It's surprising how much work riding on grass and through all that stuff is.
09-14-17, 01:53 PM
#48
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It's absolutely obnoxious, and what's worse, is that if you dare say CX is wildly stupid or uninteresting (they hold CX practice in a public park and literally ride circles on the grass) you're instantly a pariah.
I have to hand it to the shop, they have created a high dollar market out of thin air, and are selling (and servicing) a ton of bikes to people who have no use for them whatsoever.
I have to hand it to the shop, they have created a high dollar market out of thin air, and are selling (and servicing) a ton of bikes to people who have no use for them whatsoever.
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Formerly fastest rider in the grupetto, currently slowest guy in the peloton
Formerly fastest rider in the grupetto, currently slowest guy in the peloton
09-14-17, 05:02 PM
#49
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It has been shown that areas where they ride CX races come back better than before. As long as it wasn't muddy you will never know anything happened a few days later. Even if it is muddy it will come back just fine. Nationals were here in Hartford this year and you would never know it happened
09-14-17, 06:39 PM
#50
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our local shop does a weekly training race at a park.. they don't do the same course every time so the wear and tear gets spread out. even the bigger races will switch up some of the course for day 2